Queen Latifah

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Biography

Dana Elaine Owens (born March 18, 1970), better known by her stage name Queen Latifah , is an American singer, Rapping|rapper , and actress. Her work in music, film and television has earned her a Golden Globe Award|Golden Globe award, two Screen Actors Guild Awards , two NAACP Image Awards|Image Awards , a Grammy Award , six additional Grammy nominations, an Emmy Award nomination and an Academy Award nomination.

Early life

Latifah was born and raised primarily in East Orange, New Jersey (she briefly resided in the Co-op City, Bronx|Co-op City section of the Bronx from 1980 to 1984). from HipHopRuckus.com , date February 24, 2009. Retrieved June 13, 2009 The daughter of Rita (n�e Bray), a schoolteacher who worked at Irvington High School (New Jersey)|Irvington High School , and Lancelot Owens, Sr., a police officer,Stated in interview on Inside the Actors Studio , 2006 her parents divorced when Latifah was ten. Latifah was raised in the Baptist church. Beliefnet.com. Retrieved on 2011-10-01. and attended Catholic school in Newark, New Jersey. Her stage name, Latifah (), meaning "delicate" and "very kind" in Arabic language|Arabic , was given to her by her cousin when she was eight. Always a tall girl, the 5'10" Latifah was a Power forward (basketball)|power forward on her high school basketball team.. People.com. Retrieved on 2011-10-01. She performed the number "Home" from the musical The Wiz in a high school play.. MTV (1970-03-18). Retrieved on 2011-10-01.

Music career

Beginning (1988�1989)

She started beatboxing for the hip hop group Ladies Fresh and was one of the members of the original version of the Flavor Unit, which, at that time, was a crew of MC s grouped around producer DJ Mark the 45 King , who made a demo recording of Queen Latifah's rap Princess of the Posse. He gave the recording to Fab 5 Freddy , the host of Yo& #33; MTV Raps . The song got the attention of Tommy Boy Music employee Dante Ross, who signed Latifah and in 1988 issued her first single, "Wrath of My Madness."

Rhyming (1989�2002)

Freddy helped Latifah sign with Tommy Boy Records , which released Latifah's first album All Hail the Queen in 1989, when she was nineteen. That year, she appeared as Referee on the UK label Music of Life album 1989�The Hustlers Convention (live) . In 1998, Co Produced by Ro Smith, now CEO of Def Ro Inc., she released her fourth hip-hop album Order in the Court , which was released by Motown Records

Singing (2003�2007)

After Order in the Court , Latifah shifted primarily to singing soul music and jazz standards, which she had used sparingly in her previous hip-hop-oriented records. In 2004, she released the soul music|soul /jazz standards The Dana Owens Album . On July 11, 2007, Latifah sang at the famed Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles as the headlining act in a live jazz concert. Before a crowd of more than 12,400, she was backed by a 10-piece live orchestra and three backup vocalists, which was billed as the Queen Latifah Orchestra. Latifah performed new arrangements of standards including " California Dreaming ", first made popular by '60s icon s The Mamas & the Papas . Later in 2007, Latifah released an album titled '' Trav'lin' Light (Queen Latifah album)|Trav'lin' Light . Jill Scott , Erykah Badu , Joe Sample , George Duke , Christian McBride , and Stevie Wonder made guest appearances. It was nominated for a Grammy in the "Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album" category.

In 2009, Latifah, along with the Jubilation Choir, recorded the title track on the album Oh, Happy Day: An All-Star Music Celebration , covering the Oh, Happy Day|song that the Edwin Hawkins Singers made popular in 1969.

Return to hip hop (2008�present)

In 2008, Latifah was asked if she would make another hip-hop album. She was quoted saying the album was done already and it would be called "All Hail the Queen II". It was rumored that the album would be named "The 'L' Word". When asked about the rumor, she stated it was her attempt to "mess with people's heads" referring to rumors that she is lesbian". The song "Cue the Rain" was released as the album's lead single. She also has a song with Missy Elliott . 2011 saw Queen Latifah sing "Who Can I Turn To" in a duet with Tony Bennett for his album "Duets II".

Film and television

Early career (1991�2001)

From 1993�1998, Latifah had a starring role on Living Single , a Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox sitcom, which gained high ratings among black audiences; she also wrote and performed its theme music. Her mother Rita played her mother on-screen. She began her film career in supporting roles in the 1991 and 1992 films House Party 2 , Juice (film)|Juice and Jungle Fever . She had her own talk show, The Queen Latifah Show , from 1999 in television|1999 to 2001 in television|2001 . She also had recurring roles during the second season (1991�1992) of the NBC hit The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air .
She made a guest role as herself on '' Hangin' with Mr. Cooper in 1993.
Latifah appeared in the 1996 box-office hit, Set It Off and subsequently had a supporting role in the Holly Hunter film Living Out Loud (1998). She played the role of Thelma in the 1999 movie The Bone Collector , alongside Denzel Washington and Angelina Jolie .

Mainstream success (2002�present)

Although she had already received some critical acclaim, she gained mainstream success after being cast as Matron "Mama" Morton in the Oscar-winning film adaptation of the musical Chicago (2002 film)|Chicago , the recipient of the Best Picture Oscar. Latifah received an Academy Awards|Academy Award nomination for Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress|Best Actress in a Supporting Role for her role, but lost to co-star Catherine Zeta-Jones . Latifah is one of three Hip hop|hip-hop artists to receive an Academy Award nomination in an acting category (Best Supporting Actress, Chicago (2002 film)|Chicago , 2002). The others are Will Smith (Best Actor, Ali (film)|Ali , 2001, and Best Actor, The Pursuit of Happyness , 2006), and Mark Wahlberg (Best Supporting Actor, " The Departed ", 2006).

In 2003, she starred with Steve Martin in the film Bringing Down the House (movie)|Bringing Down the House , which was a major success at the box office. She also recorded a song "Do Your Thing" for the soundtrack. Since then, she has had both leading and supporting roles in a multitude of films that received varied critical and box office receptions, including films such as Scary Movie 3 , Barbershop 2: Back in Business , Taxi (2004 film)|Taxi , Kung Faux , Beauty Shop , and Hairspray (2007 film)|Hairspray . In early 2006, Latifah appeared in a romantic comedy/drama entitled Last Holiday (2006 film)|Last Holiday . Film critic Richard Roeper stated that "this is the Queen Latifah performance I've been waiting for ever since she broke into movies". Also in 2006, Latifah voiced Ellie, a friendly mammoth , in the animated film, Ice Age: The Meltdown (her first voice appearance in an animated film), and also appeared in the drama Stranger than Fiction (2006 film)|Stranger Than Fiction .

The summer of 2007 brought Latifah triple success in the big-screen version of the Broadway smash hit Hairspray (2007 film)|Hairspray , in which she acted, sang, and danced. The film rated highly with critics. It starred, among others, John Travolta ( Grease (film)|Grease ), Michelle Pfeiffer ( Stardust (2007 film)|Stardust ), Allison Janney ( Juno (film)|Juno ), James Marsden ( Enchanted (film)|Enchanted ), Christopher Walken ( Catch Me If You Can ) and Zac Efron ( High School Musical ). Also in 2007, she portrayed an HIV-positive woman in the film Life Support (film)|Life Support , a role for which she garnered her first Golden Globe Award , Screen Actors Guild Award and an Emmy Award|Emmy nomination. For her work, Queen Latifah received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame , on January 4, 2006, located at 6915 Hollywood Blvd.

Latifah produced the 2007 film The Perfect Holiday . In addition to producing the film, Latifah starred alongside Terrence Howard , Morris Chestnut , Gabrielle Union , Charlie Murphy|Charles Q. Murphy , Jill Marie Jones , and Faizon Love . In 2008, Latifah appeared in the crime comedy Mad Money (film)|Mad Money opposite Academy Award -winner Diane Keaton as well as Katie Holmes and Ted Danson . She appeared on Saturday Night Live on October 4, 2008, as moderator Gwen Ifill impersonator in a comedic sketch depicting the recent United States vice-presidential debate, 2008|vice-presidential debate .. NBC.com. Retrieved on 2011-10-01. In 2009, Latifah was a presenter at the 81st Academy Awards , presenting the segment honoring film professionals who had died during 2008 and singing " I'll Be Seeing You (song)|I'll Be Seeing You " during the montage. Latifah spoke at Michael Jackson 's memorial service in Los Angeles. She also hosted the 2010 People's Choice Awards. Latifah sang America the Beautiful at Super Bowl XLIV hosted in Miami, Florida on February 7, 2010 with Carrie Underwood . Latifah hosted the BET Awards 2010|2010 BET Awards on June 27, 2010. She is scheduled to appear in the forthcoming Joyful Noise with Dolly Parton .Ziegbe, Mawuse. (2010-08-21) . MTV. Retrieved on 2011-10-01.

Products and endorsements

Latifah is a celebrity spokesperson for CoverGirl cosmetics, Curvation ladies underwear, Pizza Hut and Jenny Craig, Inc.|Jenny Craig ., ETonline.com, January 10, 2008 She represents her own line of cosmetics for women of color called the CoverGirl Queen Collection.. Covergirl. Retrieved on 2011-10-01. Latifah has also launched a perfume line called "Queen."

Personal life

Raised in East Orange, New Jersey , she has been a resident of Colts Neck, New Jersey ., Baltimore Afro-American , March 28, 2003. She is 6 foot 1, about 200 pounds. Accessed December 11, 2007. "'I've always loved musicals,' admits the actress who was born Dana Owens and was raised in the East Orange, NJ area and who presently lives in Rumson, NJ."

Latifah was asked by Maya Angelou , who was unable to attend, to recite a poem written by Angelou at the Michael Jackson memorial service|memorial service for Michael Jackson in July 2009.

Family tragedies

Latifah's older brother, Lancelot Jr., was killed in 1992 in an accident involving a motorcycle that Latifah had recently bought him. Latifah still wears the key to the motorcycle around her neck, which can be seen throughout her performance in her sitcom Living Single . She also dedicated Black Reign to him. In her 1999 autobiography, Ladies First: Revelations of a Strong Woman , Latifah discussed how her brother's death had led to a bout of depression and drug abuse, from which she later recovered. In 1993, Latifah was the victim of a carjacking , which also resulted in the shooting of a friend.

Legal issues

In 1996, she was arrested and charged with possession of cannabis (drug)|marijuana and possession of a loaded handgun .

Breast reduction surgery

In early 2003, Latifah had breast reduction surgery which downsized her F size breasts to a double D cup size, as a way to reduce back and shoulder pain. She also works out with a trainer and kickboxing|kickboxes .

Sexual orientation

For years, there has been speculation about Latifah's sexual orientation , as she has never been seen with or spoken about a male partner.. Billboard.com (2009-09-14). Retrieved on 2011-10-01.. Queerty.com. Retrieved on 2011-10-01. On May 14, 2010, The Advocate , the largest gay and lesbian magazine in the United States, wrote that Queen Latifah and her personal trainer, Jeanette Jenkins , purchased a home together in the Hollywood Hills and placed both of their names on the deed. Some magazines have suggested that because of this, they are living together as partners. However, speculation aside, no concrete information can be provided regarding her sexual orientation.. Advocate.com. Retrieved on 2011-10-01.

Discography

1989: All Hail the Queen

1991: Nature of a Sista

1993: Black Reign

1998: Order in the Court

2004: The Dana Owens Album

2007: '' Trav'lin' Light (Queen Latifah album)|Trav'lin' Light

2009: Persona (Queen Latifah album)|Persona

Tours

Sugar Water Festival Tour (2005), (2006)

Queen Latifah, Jill Scott & Erykah Badu joined together to create and own the rights to the Sugar Water Festival Tour, LLC. All three performers toured together, while inviting music duo Floetry in 2005 and singer Kelis in 2006 as opening acts. Comedian/actress Mo'Nique served as host for the 2006 Sugar Water Tour.

Filmography

Film
Year	Film	Role	Notes
1991	Jungle Fever	Lashawn
1991	House Party 2	Zora
1992	Juice	Ruffhouse M.C.
1993	'' Who's the Man?		cameo role
1993	My Life	Theresa
1996	Set It Off	Cleopatra 'Cleo' Sims	American Black Film Festival Award for Best Actress Nominated � Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Female Nominated � NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture
1997	Hoodlum	Sulie
1998	Living Out Loud	Liz Bailey	Nominated � NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture
1998	Sphere	Alice "Teeny" Fletcher
1999	The Bone Collector	Thelma	Black Reel Award for Theatrical � Best Supporting Actress Nominated � NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture
1999	Bringing Out the Dead	Dispatcher Love
2002	Chicago	Matron "Mama" Morton	Black Reel Award for Theatrical � Best Supporting Actress Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Cast Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture Nominated � Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress Nominated � BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role Nominated � Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress � Motion Picture Nominated � Phoenix Film Critics Society Award for Best Cast Nominated � Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role
	Roberto Benigni's Pinocchio	Dove (English voice)
	Brown Sugar	Francine	Nominated � NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture
	The Country Bears	Cha-Cha
2003	Scary Movie 3	Aunt Shaneequa
2003	Bringing Down the House	Charlene Morton	Producer NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture Nominated � BET Awards\|BET Comedy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Box Office Movie Nominated � Black Reel Awards\|Black Reel Award for Film � Best Actress Nominated � Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards\|Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Award for Favorite Movie Actress
2004	Taxi	Belle
	The Cookout	Security Guard	(also producer)
	Barbershop 2: Back in Business	Gina	BET Comedy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Box Office Movie
2005	Beauty Shop	Gina Norris	Producer Nominated � BET Awards\|BET Comedy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Theatrical Film Nominated � Black Movie Award for Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role Nominated � Black Reel Awards\|Black Reel Award for Film � Best Actress Nominated � NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture
2006	Stranger Than Fiction	Penny Escher
	Ice Age: The Meltdown	Ellie	Voice Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards\|Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Award for Favorite Voice from an Animated Movie
	Last Holiday	Georgia Byrd	Nominated � Black Movie Award for Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role Nominated � NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture
2007	Hairspray	Motormouth Maybelle	Hollywood Film Festival>Hollywood Film Festival Award for Best Ensemble Cast Nominated � Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Song Nominated � NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture Nominated � Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture
2007	The Perfect Holiday	Mrs. Christmas	Producer
2008	Mad Money	Nina Brewster
	What Happens in Vegas...	Dr. Twitchell
	The Secret Life of Bees	August Boatwright	Black Reel Award for Best Actress Hollywood Film Festival
2009	Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs	Ellie	Voice
2010	Valentine's Day	Paula Thomas	Teen Choice Award for Movie Actress Romantic Comedy (Also for Just Wright )
2010	Just Wright	Leslie Wright	ProducerNominated- Teen Choice Award\| Teen Choice Award for Movie Actress Romantic Comedy (Also for '' Valentine's Day (film)\|Valentine's Day ) Nominated- Black Reel Award for Best Actress Nominated- Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture
2011	The Dilemma	Susan Warner
2012	Ice Age: Continental Drift	Ellie	Voice
2012	Joyful Noise	Vi Rose Hill
Television Films
Year	Title	Role	Notes
1998	'' Mama Flora's Family	Diana
2002	Living with the Dead	Midge Harmon
2005	'' The Muppets' Wizard of Oz	Aunt Em
2007	Life Support	Ana	Producer Golden Globe Award for Best Actress � Miniseries or Television Film Gracie Allen\|Gracie Allen Award for Outstanding Female Lead � Drama Series or Special NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Miniseries or Television Movie Nominated � Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress � Miniseries or a Movie Nominated � Prism Awards#PRISM Awards\|Prism Award for Performance in a TV Movie or Miniseries Nominated � Satellite Award for Best Actress � Miniseries or Television Film
Television
Year	Title	Role	Notes
1993�1998	Living Single	Khadijah James	Main Role
Television guest appearances
Year	Title	Role	Notes
1991	The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air	Dee Dee / Marissa Redman	(2 episodes)
1991	Whitest Kids You Know	Cameo in skit "Sex Robot"	(2 episodes)
2001	Spin City	Robin Jones
2004	Eve (TV series)>Eve	Simone	(1 episode)
2004	The Fairly Oddparents	Pam Dromeda
2008	Sweet Blackberry Presents	?
2008	Entourage	Herself
2010	30 Rock	Regina Bookman

Copyright Citations

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